Ice Cube Celebrates The Eames for Pacific Standard Time the birth of the LA art scene.

Ice Cube drives Inglewood Blvd. describing the Los Angeles that he knows. He talks of landmarks like The Forum, Five Torches, Cockatoo Inn, Brolly Hut, and Watts Towers. He refers to the 110 as “Gangsta Highway”. Cube says coming from South Central LA teaches you how to be resourceful. The video cuts to Cube walking the Eames House perimeter, through the Eames living room, and sitting in the Eames lounge chair. He brings us back to his NWA years when he studied architectural drafting before launching his rap career. One thing he learned that translates is to always have a plan. Cube describes the modern, green and resourceful building design of Charles and Ray Eames. Visionaries of connecting nature and structure. Cube ends by saying “Who are these people who got a problem with LA? Maybe they mad cuz they don’t live here.” Song during intro is “A Bird in the Hand” off of Death Certificate.

Video after the jump

 
 
World-leading cognac house Hennessy has commissioned New York based artist KAWS to design a special edition bottle of their V.S. line set. The limited produced bottles features bright colors and signature KAWS trademarks, like the XXes and chomped teeth. Each bottle is individually numbered and will be released in September. Video of the meeting of the minds right after the jump.

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DJ workstation meets iMac. Its top deck is made from CNC-designed MDF material that’s attached to a laser-cut powder-coated steel base. A built in 6 plug powerpoint eliminates clutter keeping only one wire running from the base to the wall. Customizable options lets you setup your turntables in standard or “battle” mode while sporting a slew of different colors in glossy or matte finish.

Hoerboard Scomber Mix Table ($2,300)

 
 
The United States currency hasn’t had a real makeover since the 1930′s. The Dollar ReDe$ign Project however is petitioning to change that. A competition was formed where folks could submit their take on a design of a new dollar. In Depth article on the Huffington Post.

 
 
Celebrating my favorite color in limited edition goodness. “all black everything, black cards black cars, all black everything” – Jay-Z

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Continuing from Wu-Tang Design Remix Project pt. 1 comes the anticipated sequel to the Blue Note inspired album covers. Designer Logan Walters continues to remix the rest of the Wu-Tang albums in jazz fashion.
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Rodriguez DJ Tables ($3,000-$3,900). Made from solid wood, brushed stainless steel, and hand-applied veneer, each table is customizable with as many pedestals and spaces as you need, all featuring circular shapes that pay homage to all that vinyl you’ve accumulated.

from uncrate

Mimicking an aerosol can, Paris-based designer Aïssa Logerot’s Halo uses an LED light in place of a nozzle and gets its power from the same shaking action that mixes the paint.

The interchangeable LED bulbs allow different colors and brightness depending on the occasion.

via cool hunting

 
 
Designer Logan Walters was one day bored of his Wu-Tang albums and decided to redesign all 21 releases in Blue Note fashion. Here are the first 7:
 
 



 
 
 
 
And here is how it looks in iTunes:
 
 

 
 
Keep an eye out for the rest of the series on Logan’s Flickr.

Very nice Flash MPC-style of Dante Ross’ website. Sample Triggers: 1234/QWER/ASDF/ZXCV.

From emimusicpub.com

“In the mid eighties, the progressive Dante began working for the Beastie Boys’ managers, Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen, at their thriving management company, Rush Management. After seeing Dante in action, Simmons and Cohen opened the doors to him to become the tour manager for the illustrious Def Jam and Dope Jam tours circa 1986-1987.

In 1989, Dante joined Tommy Boy Records as an A&R rep. He promptly signed De La Soul, Queen Latifah and Digital Underground. Through working with these artists and being taught to freak a SP1200, Dante discovered that he too was capable of creating beats. He began producing several records, including the platinum hit, “Pop Goes The Weasel” for the group, Third Bass, which he founded. Dante’s efforts to make a mark in the music industry didn’t stop there. While continuing to produce, he became a player on the Elektra Records team, signing artists like Brand Nubians, Leaders of the New School (featuring a young Busta Rhymes), Old Dirty Bastard and others. Dante also remixed and produced songs for a plethora of artists like House of Pain, Cypress Hill and Slick Rick to name a few.”